Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Monday, November 8, sees the opening of World Travel Market, the annual four-day industry event at the ExCeL centre in London’s Docklands where the global travel trade gathers to cut deals and forge new alliances.
This year more than 5,000 exhibitors, representing 187 countries and regions, will be at the event. There’s also a packed programme of events, from talks and discussions to training sessions and networking events.
The show is open from 10am till 6pm each day, apart from Thursday when it closes at 5pm. And if you register in advance online you won’t have to pay for a ticket on arrival. To find out more, go to wtmlondon.com.
Around the stands
From new training to fab competitions, here’s a region-by-region look at what you can expect from this year’s exhibitors…
Events and seminars
Get the knowledge
As usual, the last day of the show, Thursday, will feature lots of events for agents. There will be training sessions on destinations and a day-long programme of educational events run by the Institute of Travel & Tourism, as well as exhibitor presentations and training sessions.
For info on attending destination briefings contact Ruth Creely, the show’s seminar and conference executive at ruth.creely@reedexpo.co.uk
And don’t forget: agents gain Accredited Travel Professional (ATP) points by attending events. Members gain two ATP points for attending WTM and further points for every conference and seminar they attend. To gain your points after attending WTM, simply log in to travelprofessional.co.uk.
Take care of business
This year the Thursday of the show has been declared Business Day. Stand-out events include a Talk Business session with Lord Digby Jones (Platinum Suite 4, 11.00am-12.30pm) at which the business heavyweight will be joined by other leading lights offering small and medium-sized travel companies tips on surviving the hard economic climate.
A host of advice clinics will also offer attendees practical, hands-on business advice in the form of 15-minute one-to-ones with experts (Meridian Club Lounge, North Hall, AF700, 1pm-3pm). Areas to be covered include how to make the most of PR, effective online retailing, and how to tap into the adventure market. Register for a spot at wtmlondon.com.
Also that afternoon, expert marketing company FutureBrand will reveal the findings of its latest Country Brand Index (CBI), which tracks how the brands of 102 countries are performing (North Gallery, Rooms 4 & 5, 2pm-3pm).
Be Responsible
Attendees will also be urged to get involved in the World Responsible Tourism Programme on Wednesday, described by WTM chairman Fiona Jeffery as “without
doubt the most ambitious and far-reaching day of action in global travel and tourism”.
Activities include an opening address at 10.30am by environmental campaigner Tony Juniper, a former director of Friends of the Earth UK, who will then help present the Responsible Tourism Awards 2010 (Platinum Suite 4, 10.30am-12.30pm).
At midday, Adam Stewart, chief executive of Sandals Resorts International, will be tackling some of the biggest issues facing the tourism industry in a HOTseat event presented by BBC World broadcaster Stephen Sackur.
The impact of climate change on destinations and businesses will be a major focus this year.
One such session is ‘Destinations and Climate Change’ (Platinum Suite 4, 3pm-3.30pm), which looks at the example of the Maldives – ‘a nation under threat’.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Attendees will also be told how, according to a recent World Travel & Tourism Council report, action can reduce current levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
Also at WTM
Travel Weekly dailies
While at the show, you can keep up to date with all the goings-on thanks to Travel Weekly. As the official media partner at WTM, we will be publishing a daily newspaper on each of the four days of the show, featuring all the news and best photos, along with details of what’s on where. The Travel Weekly Dailies will also include articles relating to the themes of each of the four days such as responsible tourism.
ITT events
ITT has a packed programme of seminars and events, including:
- ITT Question Time – Tuesday, Platinum Suite 4
Members and visitors will have the chance to quiz travel leaders, such as ITT’s Steven Freudmann and All Leisure Group’s Roger Allard, about the latest hot topics. - Agent Training Sessions – Thursday, North Gallery 9
Two sessions on Agents’ Day: ‘Charisma v The Click’ and ‘Pricing Psychology’ - Future You conference – Thursday, Platinum Suites 1 & 3
This will offer skills and career advice to students. - Members’ Lounge – South Gallery, Rooms 21-22
The lounge will be open for networking on all four days.
‘Walk the World’ for Just a Drop
WTM attendees are once again being invited to ‘Walk the World’ to raise money for the show’s water-aid charity, Just a Drop. Attendees donate £10 in return for a pedometer which measures the distance they walk at the exhibition. Get yours at the Just a Drop stand (Central Boulevard), or online at: justgiving.com/walktheworld2010.
Attendees can also raise money for Just a Drop by heading to the Visit London stand (L205) and getting a one-day London Pass. This offers entry to more than 55 visitor attractions and is being offered in exchange for a £15 donation to the charity – compared with the normal price of £40. WTM Meridian Club members will be asked to donate £10.